Staff Reporter

All of this talk about Champagne last week really put me into the holiday mood and the best way to celebrate the season was to go out and find some champagne to recommend for your holiday parties. I selected two bottles from the label of Domaine Ste Michelle which...

You might think that, with currently high unemployment rates, it will be an employer’s market forever. But, you would be wrong. Even today, as unemployment remains stubborn, some industries are having difficulties filling their job openings. Today, your industry could be in a buy or sell mode as far as...

Since it is Christmas, we are shopping.  For most of us, that also means we do not have much money and so we shop with credit cards.  Some stores offer “zero interest” on a purchase or on a credit card.  But be cautious!  Read the fine print and get...

Lake Milton - The Lake Milton Browns Backers held their annual Food and Toy Drive on December 18, 2010 at the Dutch House in Lake Milton.  Club president Gary Rozhon indicated this was their biggest event ever.  Thirty six families and nearly 60 children received food baskets and toys...

Garrettsville - James A. Garfield Intermediate School presented Carols and Choruses recently at their annual Christmas Concert. The 5th and 6th grade concert was under the direction of Mr. Gaither and had something for everyone. The concert started off with a new addition to the music department, the hand bell...

Portage County - Snow days are every school kid’s fantasy come true... until it’s time to make up for lost instructional time. Most area school districts have already exhausted their allowable cancellation days due to two major snow storms in early December. Now districts are on borrowed time as...

The first time Naturalist Services Director Diane Valen did one of these programs, a slideshow on Alaska, it drew a record-breaking 90 people. But that was back in the beginning, in the winter of 2006, before the popular Armchair Adventure Travelogue Series became a staple on so many calendars and...

Newton Falls - Monday night’s council meeting explored changes for the coming new year as the main topic of conversation. All officials were present and the floor of the forum was immediately turned over to two guest speakers. After the special presentation about city water usage concluded, local Police Chief...

The state’s largest land conservancy is applauding the renewal of a federal tax incentive for private landowners – especially working family farmers – who protect their land with a voluntary conservation easement. Western Reserve Land Conservancy, which serves a 14-county region in northern Ohio, endorsed the move by Congress to...

Hiram - In planning and zoning matters it was earlier reported that the Commission has recommended that Hiram Village adjust its fees on par with other area community zoning permit fees. The new zoning fee schedule will be submitted to Council at the January 2011 meeting. An organizational meeting...

Nelson Township - The Nelson Township Trustees met for their regularly-scheduled meeting last Wednesday with all trustees and fiscal officer in attendance.  The meeting was moved to the community house due to lack of heat at the maintenance building. The trustees stated that the fuel line that runs from...

On  December 8, the Literary Musical Club held their monthly meeting, Betty Hamilton and Sally Kittle were hostesses. The food was good and tasty. Snowmen and shiny red apples decorated the tables. The only business was the report on the cookie sales. We sold coffee and cookies on the Christmas...

Garrettsville - Club members have had two months of single meetings each in November & December. Joan Kropp hosted our meeting in November with Jan Chalker as her co-hostess. Lucy Galayde had charge of the program for the night and did a wonderful job of taking us back  to Pearl...

Garrettsville - James A. Garfield Schools will be sponsoring the Mobile Dentist again this year.  They will arrive at the Elementary, Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools on January 26.  We have invited the Smile Programs to bring their on-site preventative dental care services to our schools because we know...

Girl Scout Troop 632 of Garrettsville took a moment out of their Christmas break to spread some holiday cheer at The Woodlands in Ravenna. The girls brought smiles to the residents by singing some holiday favorites throughout the building. This is the third year that the Troop has gone...

Garrettsville - Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary is in full Santa-delivery mode.  To schedule your visitation and your donation to the People Tree for December 23,  make some quick snow bunny hops over to McCumbers-Brady Realty or The Business Works ASAP. Family Week planning is gearing up as well.  The big event is...

2011 Chamber Calendars The Garrettsville Area Chamber Photo Contest Calendars are on sale now.  The 2011 calendars make a great holiday gift ~ $6 each or 2/$10.  Calendars are available at Middlefield Bank, The Cornerstone Emporium, Miller’s Family Restaraunt and Village Bookstore. i-Pad Raffle The James A. Garfield All Sports Boosters are...

A number of bowlers in the 9:00 Trio League shot well on Saturday.  High series for the day was Ashleigh Quiggle, with games of 117, 152, and 91 for a 360 series.  Ashleigh’s 152 game was 53 pins over average.   Right behind her was Drew Tushar with a...

The lady on the phone asked, “Can you help me?  I got a Christmas card, I can’t read the signature, and I don’t recognize the return address. I tore off the label and my dog ate it. All I can remember was her first name was Ruth, and she...

Well, 2010 is almost in the history books and 2011 is just around the corner. Between getting together for holiday parties, making holiday treats and, of course, dealing with the snow, I recommend taking this week to pick up your champagne for New Year’s Eve. But how do you...

Wholeeee Snowleee!  When the real thing hits, It’s gonna be “Bessie bar the doors!” if this is just the preview.  Wouldn’t you know that this exercise in inclemency--weather division--happens in the year that the powers-that-be down in Columbus, where the sun never sets, have decreed that there will be...

Windham - Windham Joint Fire District Board met for their regularly-scheduled meeting recently with all members of the board present. Chief Clair Simpson reported that Warren Fire Equipment was out to conduct bench tests on the Scot Air Paks.  They determined that several of the current air paks are out-dated...

You see it in the movies... someone is having an emotional meltdown, babbling away about their seemingly insurmountable troubles... then a good friend gives them an alarming slap in the face. Suddenly, the babbling idiot looks up, refreshed and ready to move forward with new energy and a fresh...

Burton - Are you looking for unique a baby gift or necessity item? If so, you will want to try Fezziwig’s located at 13868 Kirtland Street in Burton on the northeast corner of Burton Square.  They have just what you are looking for since 2007.  Many of their items...

The stage at W.D. Packard Music Hall hosted several notable characters over the last few months. In September Dr. Elliot Engel, a PMH fixture, entertained loyal fans and newcomers alike as the opener for this year’s Trumbull Town Hall Lecture Series. Dr. Engel, a professor, scholar, and literary performer, graciously...

Garrettsville - The cold and snow did not deter folks from attending the ground breaking ceremony for the new Robinson Health Center in Garrettsville. On December 9, 2010 about 20 people gathered at the intersection of Liberty Street and South Street, the future site of the Robinson Health Center...

Freedom Township - At the December 2 meeting many of those present were hoping for a very short meeting in anticipation of the Cavaliers’ game that evening. The main topics of interest were: A request from township resident Ginny Adams to use the township sign to advertise job skills workshops for...

Among the longest-running programs Geauga Park District hosts, in its 22nd year, the Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk has become a tradition for families countywide. The  Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk will take place on Tuesday, December 21 from  7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the West Woods Nature Preserve located at  9465...

Garrettsville – Owners of The Garden Bistro  decided late Sunday night  that December 12th would be their  last official day of business. Co-owner Tawny Criblez stated via e-mail that “we have exhausted many possibilities, but the decision was made late tonight to no longer operate.” The Garden Bistro opened in...